Apple reportedly restricting use of special characters in app descriptions [u]

In a reported change to its iTunes Connect developer portal, Apple recently deprecated the use of special emoji-type characters for app descriptions, limiting app makers to standard text for submitted updates.

The exact date of the reported change is unknown, but a developer at TapeACall, who informed AppleInsider of the modified rules, said the use of special characters was available when they updated their app a little over two weeks ago.

As seen in the image above, Apple is no longer allowing developers to submit app description edits with the unique character sets, which in this case includes a checkmark, explosion, "no symbol" and a speech bubble. It is thought that others are included in the new restrictions, but that has yet to be verified.

Developers sometimes use non-standard characters like checkmarks in bullet lists to draw attention to tweaks or the addition of new features to an app. For example, YouTube's most recent update on April 15 utilized checkmarks to denote the app's basic feature set.

If the new rules are indeed rolling out, Apple has not specified why it is restricting emoji use in descriptions. It can be speculated, however, that the move is meant to create a more unified App Store experience.

Update: Another developer has reported the date of Apple's new iconography requirements to have been set on April 19.

I help developers write app descriptions and this came really suddenly. Last week we were using stars and checkmarks (nothing gaudy) and starting last Friday these things were no long allowed.

It's honestly not a big change since it does affect everyone (at least when they update their app description). I only starting using them because they were available, but the old * and %u2022 should be just as effective.

My only complaint is that Apple should give a little notice. I don't think they've even mentioned it or updated rules; it's just in place all of a sudden.